The president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic pledged never to recognize Kosovoafter he refused to sign the pact promoted by the European Union for the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo.

The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo met on Monday in Brussels after intense pressure from the European Union to agree on a plan that sets the framework for a potential normalization of relations and a “de facto recognition” of Kosovo by Belgrade.

Despite assurances from European officials about the green light given by both sides to an agreement in principlethe talks have been fruitless and Pristina and Belgrade have blamed each other for the deadlock, saying there are many points that need to be settled.

Aleksandar Vucic addressed Serbian public opinion last night stating that he will never recognize Kosovo and that he has no intention of helping Kosovo enter the United Nations.

“As long as I am president, I will not sign, nor will I accept formal or informal recognition of Kosovo and Kosovo’s membership in the United Nations,” he said on Serbian television.

Aleksandar Vucic, however, said he was ready to discuss other issues, but only if Kosovo agreed to create a Union of Serb-dominated Municipalities, which would give Kosovo Serbs a degree of autonomy.

“I am open to all the rest, not only because it will help us move on the European path, but also because it is good for the relations between Serbs and Albanians.”

But for Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, any agreement should include recognition in one form or another of Kosovo’s independence.

Ahead of the Brussels meeting, a top European official said Serbia and Kosovo had already accepted the European plan, which had remained secret until it was published on Monday night.

The new meeting of the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo under the auspices of the European Union is scheduled for March 18 in North Macedonia.